Making a Familial Hypercholesterolaemia diagnosis

Your doctor may suspect you have Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) if:

There is a history of early cardiovascular disease in close family members

You are a man and have a heart attack before the age of 50, or 60 in a woman

Your cholesterol is very high and other causes have been ruled out

Other family members have been diagnosed with FH

You have any physical signs of FH

​When should Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) be diagnosed?

It is important to diagnose Familial Hypercholesterolaemia early. This is because treatment is more effective the sooner it is started. People who are diagnosed early and treated live as long as individuals without FH, and in some cases longer.

Children born to a parent with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia can be tested as early as their second birthday. It is recommended that they are tested before they reach the age of 10.

To make a diagnosis of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia your doctor will:

Arrange for you to have a fasting blood test to check the levels of cholesterol in your blood

Do a physical examination to check for signs of FH on your body

Ask you some questions about your family history

They may also arrange for you to have a genetic test – but this is not available everywhere

Making a definite or possible diagnosis of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia

In the UK most doctors diagnose Familial Hypercholesterolaemia clinically using the Simon Broome Criteria.